ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages

The Target Road School ESOL programme provides a comprehensive and interactive learning programme to enhance the ESOL child's use of English effectively for communication, social and academic needs through immersion in the four modes of English of listening, speaking, writing and reading are incorporated.

The ESOL Programme uses the following strategies to help new learners of English achieve their goals:

Planning, organising and working in groups (here making paper daffodils on the arrival of Spring), to gain a great sense of personal achievement from the learning experience.

The ESOL room provides a fostering, supportive and challenging environment for new learners of English in the team environment. Learning English is fun when it is meaningful and contributes to the student’s ability to use good learning strategies in the classroom.

ORGANIZATION

Daily Diaries

The year 4, 5 to 6 children begin with daily diaries and simple grammar exercises. Children are encouraged to write personally. This routine settles them to task immediately. One on one consultation is had with the ESOL children on their written work, and written comments are given. This leads to future goal setting.

Homework Sheets

The classroom teacher sets homework sheets and these are bought to the ESOL sessions. We go through these with them to help them understand what is needed.

Homework Classroom Topics

Home classroom topics are also included within ESOL. Communications with the classroom teachers is on a regular basis. Teachers provide me with their Term Topics planning. With the use of visuals, photos, pictures, maps and diagrams, there is plenty of opportunity for writtenand oral support.

ESOL Group Topics

ESOL group topics are studied so that there is each six weeks, a general topic of study. There is continued support of visual and concrete material for a varied and interesting programme.

Home Reading

Children are supplied with an ESOL set of readers to take home and share with family members. Time is allocated to check the reading levels and to conduct reading assessments. This is done at all year levels when requested.

Workbooks

Each child has a workbook and a scrapbook set-aside for these sessions. A folder is also provided for various activities to support their theme of study.

Incidental Lessons

As children bring material and news from their country of origin to share with others, time will be given to allow for this. Rules for news and for sharing with others will be set out.